[Dixielandjazz] Re: IZ = Isreal Kamakawiwo-Ole

[David McCartney]

The IZ version is very pretty.

He segues into What A Wonderful World.
You know them both. Just do it nicely.
Borders recently supplied me the CD.
You would like it. It's happy and honest.

Isreal Kamaka wiwo-ole is not a raggae muso.
I spaced it so you can learn to say his name right.
He played traditional Hawaiian music and
had a great voice. He accompanied himself
very gently and clearly on a ukulele. Splendid!

He campaigned to undo some of the nastiness
the white folks, missionaries, and the Doles
did to their beautiful islands.

He was huge. Probably 500-600 pounds. Died
a couple of years ago. Some call it Slack-key Guitar,
since special tunings are used to allow a lot of
harmonics. Like wee bells ringing.

The trad Hawaiian music movement is alive
and well in my area of Northern CA. This ain't
no Don Ho or Harry Owens crap. Artists come
and give well-attended concerts in the Bay Area
and Foothills.

I can play all the chords on my Martin Tenor
guitar, upside down and backwards, since I
tuned my uke righty and learned lefty. Silly, eh?

David McCartney
A standup kinda bass player



Steve barbone wrote:

> I always get a kick out of the "wedding" song requests that are posted on
> the DJML. We just got this one from a prospective client
>
> Hi Steve
>
> You guys played at my sister's wedding reception about 2 years ago in York,
> PA and I thought you were fantastic. I was wondering a few things...(Then
> proceeds to go over the ceremony/reception details and how much they want
> our jazz band etc.) THEN:
>
> One more question...we want our wedding song to be a version of 'Over the
> Rainbow' by a guy called IZ (Hawaaiin/Reggae type). Is that something you
> guys would be willing/able to do?
>
> Anybody got a lead sheet for the IZ version?
>
> Just kidding, what I do in a case like this is tell them we can easily do
> the song, but probably not like IZ (I've never heard it). Then I offer to
> play the IZ version CD on my CD player and send it through the sound system
> for their dance. Works like a charm every time.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
>
>